OHA eyes predator issues in ’19

OHA is speaking on behalf of the interests of wildlife and hunters on predator isssues that will take center stage in 2019.

Wolf Delisting Vote on HR 6784: The U.S. House on Nov. 16 passed the “Manage Our Wolves Act,” which removes gray wolves from threatened and endangered status in the lower 48 states. This would immediately affect Oregon in the western two-thirds of the state. Contact Senators Merkley and Wyden soon to express support as this act moves to the Senate early in 2019.

Wolf Plan Completion: OHA has participated in four facilitated stakeholder meetings about the more contentious elements of the draft wolf plan. Defining chronic depredation of livestock, determining how non-lethal measures (protecting livestock) will be applied before lethal actions are taken, and ultimately methods used for lethal action have been thoroughly discussed. The topic of controlled take, including hunting, will be the final topic addressed at the Jan. 8 meeting scheduled for Portland.

Cougar Management: OHA is working on both legislative and administrative approaches to increase cougar hunting opportunities. The goal is to lower the statewide population to enhance deer and elk numbers and improve public safety and property protection. —Jim Akenson, OHA Conservation Director